Chapter 14
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Magneto's soldiers fled upon his order. They assumed it was over, that Kelly was dead. When Bishop's group saw them retreat they also feared that they had failed, that the dystopian future under Apocalypse was now inevitable. But to the surprise of many, to those who felt relief or dissapointment, Kelly was alive. His innaguration was delayed, but he was still sworn in as president. Magneto and his soldiers were able to escape, but Bishop and his team were captured. The police and National Guard were not eager to give any mutants the benefit of the doubt today. Bishop, Avalanche, Kitty, Rogue, and Wolverine were placed in a holding cell. One of the guards seemed excited about the "New sheriff in the White House." He even put on a television so that these "Muties" could hear the president's speech, and get a rough idea what was in store for them.
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Kelly: My fellow Americans, you have entrusted me with this great honor because I promised to keep you safe from the mutant menace. But the truth is that I have been as complicit in this menace as anyone. I have done all I can to demonize mutants and provoke this potential war. I have allowed my fear and lust for power to override compassion and logic. But I have now seen what this can lead to, and it is not a future that any sane person would ever want to come true. I cannot undo the past, I can only try and do better in the future, and do all I can to avoid the Hell that will be our legacy if we fail to live together. Therefore, my first act as president, is to give a full pardon to those mutants who helped save my life today.
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Bishop and his team heard this news, but they feared he didn't mean them specifically. But then, a lawyer came in and told their guard what he didn't want to hear. All five of his prisoners had been granted a full pardon by the new president. Wolverine, Rogue, and Avalanche had all committed their share of crimes. Kitty and Bishop had committed no crimes, a pardon was suppossed to be for those who had committed crimes, but neither was too proud to accept their new freedom. But a thought occurred to Bishop. He thought that if he changed the events that led to his own creation, that he would simply fade away and cease to exist. The fact that he was still here meant one of two things. Either he was wrong and would still be able to live his life. Or it meant that despite this success that something would happen later, something that would still bring about the world of Apocalypse.
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Xavier was grateful to president Kelly for pardoning his friends, all of whom agreed to come back with him. But as grateful as Xavier was to be reunited with old friends, and to welcome new friends, he knew it was far from over. Kelly's supporters were angry with him for betraying their cause. There were already riots in the streets. Kelly had promised Xavier he would do all he could, to work with friends and enemies alike, to prevent Apocalypse and Galactus from bringing about this Hell. Whether they would succeed, that remained to be seen. That night, Xavier tried to communicate with Erik, and to his relief Erik allowed him to speak with him telepathically.
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Xavier: Thank you Erik, for sparing the president's life.
Magneto: I saw what killing him today would bring about. But if what I'm seeing on the news is any indication, that future might be inevitable.
Xavier: Perhaps all we can do is try to avoid that. I will do all I can.
Magneto: As will I. Make no mistake, I only changed tactics this day. But there is still a war coming, and I still intend to fight it, by any means neccessary.
Xavier: And I will always be ther, old friend.